Turmeric is a unique spice with a distinct flavor that people often use in Indian cuisine, especially in rice and curries. And a turmeric restaurant is one in which turmeric is a key ingredient in many food items on its menu.
This article will focus on one of the best turmeric Indian cuisine recipes: Turmeric Chicken Curry.
What Is Turmeric Indian Cuisine?
Turmeric Indian cuisine is an envelope term for the various dishes made with turmeric as a key ingredient. While turmeric is not unique to India, it forms an integral part of Indian cuisine.
Turmeric has a warm, slightly bitter, and astringent taste that comes from the curcumin it contains. Curcumin is also responsible for turmeric’s bright yellow color.
In India, people use fresh or dry turmeric root to make a wide variety of dishes, including curries, rice dishes, soups, and even desserts!
Restaurants with Turmeric Indian Cuisine
Some Indian restaurants prioritize using turmeric among a variety of their dish options. That said, if you enjoy this turmeric Indian cuisine recipe, you may also want to visit one of these restaurants for further inspiration!
Examples of restaurants that have a turmeric menu include:
- Turmeric Indian Cuisine in Merced, California
- Cafe Turmeric in Hanalei, Hawaii
- Biryani Pot Kenner in Kenner, Louisiana
- Lufa Nola in New Orleans, Louisiana
- Happy’s Indian Kitchen in Ripon, California
Turmeric Indian Cuisine - Turmeric Chicken Curry
Ingredients
- 1 pound Chicken breast boneless and skinless
- 1 Tbsp Olive oil
- 1 Medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp Grated ginger
- 3 Cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Ground coriander
- 1 Tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 15-ounce can of coconut milk
- 1 Tbsp Honey
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoons Ground black pepper
- ¼ cups Chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the chicken breast, olive oil, onion, ginger, garlic, turmeric, cumin, coriander, tomato paste, chicken broth, coconut milk, honey, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix well to combine.
- Pour the mixture into a slow cooker and cook it on low for around 7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- When cooked through, take the chicken out from the slow cooker and use a fork to shred it.
- Return the shredded chicken back to your slow cooker and stir in the cilantro leaves.
- Serve over cooked rice or quinoa, and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks: Secrets to Making The Best Turmeric Chicken Curry
Here are several helpful tips and tricks to ensure that you make the best turmeric chicken curry possible.
Use Fresh Ingredients
Use fresh ginger, garlic, and cilantro for the best flavor. If you must use dried spices, we recommend reducing the amount of turmeric by half so that the flavor isn’t overpowering.
Add More Heat
If you like your food with a little more heat, add a finely diced jalapeno pepper to the mixture when you add the other ingredients. You could also add one or two teaspoons of red pepper flakes to the recipe.
Shred the Chicken
Don’t be afraid to shred the chicken with a fork. This step may seem unimportant, but it will help the chicken absorb more of the curry flavor and make it even more tender.
Use Full-Fat Coconut Milk
For the most agreeable flavor and texture, we recommend using full-fat coconut milk. Don’t worry; this recipe won’t be too high in fat because you’re only using one can of coconut milk for the entire recipe.
Crockpot Alternatives
If you don’t own a slow cooker, try making this recipe in the Instant Pot. Simply follow the same instructions but cook the curry on high pressure for 30 minutes.Â
You can also make this recipe on the stovetop. Simmer the ingredients in a large pot over low heat for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
Storage
This turmeric chicken curry will keep well in your fridge for up to four days. We recommend storing it in a covered container or plastic bag so it doesn’t dry out.
You can also freeze this recipe for up to four months. Just place the leftovers in a freezer-safe container and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Side Dishes
Curry is delicious on its own with just a spoon, but if you want to take the receipt up a notch, you should serve it with equally tasty side dishes. Here are a few excellent options:
- biryani rice
- naan
- flatbread
- samosas
- mango chutney
- raita
Nutrition Information
In this section, we’ll discuss the benefits of turmeric in general before providing the nutritional contents of this turmeric chicken curry recipe.
What Are The Benefits of Turmeric?
Turmeric is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s packed with nutrients that can offer a variety of health benefits, including reduced inflammation, improved cognitive function, improved ability to fight infections, and a lower risk of cancer.
Here are a few of the key nutrients found in turmeric:
- Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant that can help reduce inflammation and fight infections.
- Vitamin B6: Helps bodies convert food into energy and plays a role in cognitive function.
- Potassium: Helps regulate blood pressure and heart rate.
- Fiber: aids in digestion and can help lower cholesterol levels.
Nutritional Information of Turmeric Chicken Curry Recipe
- Serving size: 1/6 of recipe (about 1 1/2 cups)
- Calories: 400
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated fat: 5 g
- Trans fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 73 mg
- Sodium: 713 mg
- Potassium: 756 mg
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Sugar: 13 g
- Protein: 24 g
Conclusion
Turmeric Indian cuisine encompasses a range of delicious Indian dishes, from curries and stews to rice and bread, all flavored with the vibrant yellow spice known as turmeric.
While turmeric does have a bold, intense flavor, it is well balanced by the other ingredients in these dishes.
If you’re looking for a new cuisine, we hope you give this turmeric chicken curry recipe a try. Let us know what you think of our recipe in the comments below!
My family loves this recipe
I’ve made this a lot and have done what others have done
All I can say is “WOW” This is an awesome dish